Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Type 2 diabetes prevents your body from converting carbohydrates into energy. This causes sugar to build up in the blood. Over time, this increases your risk of heart disease, blindness, and nerve and organ damage. It affects people of all ages and initial symptoms are mild. About 1 in 3 people with type 2 diabetes are unaware they have it.In fact, there are more cases of type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes by 9:1.
Symptoms
Symptoms include dry mouth, increased appetite, frequent urination, and unusual weight gain or loss. Also, as blood sugar levels rise, additional problems such as headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue appear.
Serious symptoms
In many cases, this disease is not discovered until it seriously affects your health. Some warning signs are:
• Cuts or wounds that are slow to heal
• Yeast infections or frequent urinary tract infections
• Itchy skin, especially in the groin area
Type 2 diabetes: risk factors that can be controlled
Some health habits and lifestyle conditions can increase your chances, including:
• Obesity, especially around the waist
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Lots of red meat, processed meat, high-fat dairy and sweets
• Unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Risk factors beyond your control
Risk factors beyond your control, including:
• Race or ethnicity: Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asians are more likely to get it
• Family history of diabetes: Having a parent or Siblings with diabetes increases your chances.• Age: Being 45 years of age or older increases your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors for women
You are more likely to get type 2 diabetes later if:
• You had gestational diabetes than you do were pregnant
• Has given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• Had polycystic ovary syndrome
Type 2 diabetes: insulin mechanism
In a healthy person, insulin helps convert food into energy. Your stomach breaks down carbohydrates into sugar. They get into the bloodstream and cause the pancreas to release the hormone insulin in just the right amount. It helps your cells use sugar for fuel.However, in type 2 diabetes, your cells cannot use sugar properly. That means there's a lot in your blood. When you have a condition called insulin resistance, your body makes the hormone, but your cells don't use it or respond to it the way they should. So if you've had type 2 diabetes for a while but haven't treated it, your pancreas will produce
Diagnosis
An A1c blood test is being performed. It shows your average blood sugar level over the last 2-3 months.
Type 2 Diabetes: Diet
You can control your blood sugar levels by changing your diet and losing extra weight. This reduced the risk of complications. Carefully control the carbohydrates in your diet and keep the amounts consistent at each meal.Just watch the amount of fat and protein you're eating and reduce your calorie intake. For additional help, consult a nutritionist to plan the content and timing of your meals.
Exercise is Key
Regular exercise, such as weight training or walking, improves your body's use of insulin and lowers blood sugar levels. Being active also helps shed body fat, lower blood pressure, and protect you from heart disease. Get 30 minutes of moderate activity at least three times a week.
Type 2 Diabetes: Stay Stress Free
Stress can increase blood pressure and blood sugar. Some people don't do anything about it. Others turn to food to deal with it. Instead, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or visualization. Talking to a friend, family member, counselor, or religious leader can be helpful.
Medications
If diet and exercise aren't controlling your blood sugar, your doctor may add medications. There are many types of diabetes pills. They are often combined. Some work by telling the pancreas to produce more insulin. Others help your body utilize them better or block starch digestion.Some slow down the breakdown of insulin.
Insulin – not just for type 1
Your doctor may prescribe insulin at the start of your treatment and combine it with pills. It can also help people with type 2 diabetes who are developing "beta cell failure." This means that when blood sugar is high, the cells in the pancreas stop producing insulin. In this case you have to inject insulin every day.
Non-insulin injections
New drugs called non-insulin injections are available for people with type 2 diabetes. These drugs cause your body to produce insulin to control blood sugar levels.
Heart and Artery Problems
If you don't manage diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise, you're likely to develop plaque in your arteries. This sticky substance sticks to the walls of arteries and slows blood flow. Consequently, the risk of blood clots increases.Your arteries harden (known as atherosclerosis) and therefore increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. About 67% of diabetics die from heart disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: Kidney Complications
The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop chronic kidney disease. Diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure. It is the cause in 50% of new cases. Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can reduce the risk of this complication. Annual tests and medication will slow down the disease and keep your kidneys healthy.
Eye problems
High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the retina, a vital part of the eye. This is called diabetic retinopathy and can lead to blindness. In fact, it is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people between the ages of 20 and 74.
Diabetic Nerve Pain
Over time, uncontrolled diabetes and high blood sugar can cause nerve damage. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, pain, and a tingling sensation, often in the fingers, hands, feet, or feet.The damage cannot be reversed, but there are treatments. Controlling your diabetes will help prevent further damage.
Type 2 Diabetes: Beware of Foot Injuries
Diabetic nerve damage can make it difficult for you to feel your feet. You can't see the wounds. At the same time, the hardening of the arteries reduces blood flow to the area.Even a small wound can cause foot sores and gangrene. In severe cases, infections can lead to amputation.
Impaired Teeth and Gums
High blood sugar levels can feed bacteria that cause plaque. Plaque build-up leads to tooth decay, tooth decay and gum disease. Severe gum disease can cause tooth loss.It weakens the gums and the tissues and bones that hold teeth in place. This also makes it easier to get an infection.
Prevention Techniques
One of the most amazing things about type 2 diabetes is that it can be prevented. To lower your risk, follow the same heart disease prevention guidelines:
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise for 30 minutes, 5 days a week.• Maintain a healthy weight.
Thanks for reading, Sayonara🖐